1952’s classic musical Singin’ in the Rain is one of the most beloved films of all time. The film is frequently cited as being one of the best musicals ever made and holds the highest spot on AFI’s 100 Years of Musicals list. It is also tenth on AFI’s list of 100 Years…100 Movies. The film has made a pile of other “best of” lists, too, and is considered a film of great importance and to be “culturally significant” by the Library of Congress.
The film stars Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor. Kelly stars as silent film star Don Lockwood, a huge film star with humble roots. He is frequently cast in films with a high-strung leading lady, Lina Lamont. Lamont is played to gleeful perfection by Jean Hagen, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Lamont is convinced that her screen romance with Lockwood is real, but it is obviously a result of studio gimmickry with the intent to sell the star couple on screen. As time progresses, silent films become things of the past and “talkies” are introduced. The power team of Lamont and Lockwood must adapt to the change of the times.
Lamont, unfortunately, has a terrible voice and isn’t too bright. Producing talkies with her becomes a problem, so aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Reynolds) is placed in the films as the voice behind Lina Lamont. Lockwood falls in love with Selden and, together with Lockwood’s lifelong pal Cosmo Brown (O’Connor), they come up with a plan to sell the studio’s current picture as a retooled musical. Lamont becomes jealous of Selden in just about every way possible and wants to run the show for herself, leading to a climax in which poor Lamont is embarrassed on account of her real voice.
The film was originally conceived by Arthur Freed, who was the head of something called the “Freed Unit”. The Freed Unit was responsible for turning out the vast majority of MGM’s large and lavish musicals. Singin’ in the Rain was designed as a vehicle for many of Freed’s songs that he had written with Nacio Herb Brown for MGM films from previous eras. A lot of the songs from Singin’ in the Rain, including the title track, were featured in previous films. Most of the songs in the film were written by Freed, with the exception of a few.
Singin’ in the Rain is a charming film on screen, but it apparently had its fair share of issues off screen. Gene Kelly was sick with a high fever during filming of the famous rain sequence, for example. Debbie Reynolds was not a dancer, either, but rather a gymnast. She was allegedly insulted by Kelly for her lack of ability, which upset her a great deal. Still, Reynolds worked her proverbial butt off for the film and even ended up taking some lessons from the legendary Fred Astaire (who had apparently heard Kelly’s ranting about Reynolds’ dancing and offered to help her learn). After shooting the “Good Mornin’” dance routine, Reynolds’ feet were bleeding. Also of interesting note, O’Connor was apparently also having his fair share of problems with Kelly. He found Gene Kelly to be a bit of a “tyrant” on the set. O’Connor had to be put in the hospital for exhaustion after shooting the brilliant “Make ‘Em Laugh” dance/slapstick number.
With all of that going on behind the scenes of the film, it’s a wonder that the film looks rather seamless and the characters have chemistry. Singin’ in the Rain really is a delightful film, but it isn’t without its flaws. I’m not too sure that I would consider it to be the best musical of all time, but it certainly is up there. The flow grinds to a halt near the end of the film, as the “Broadway Melody Ballet” takes over. Before that point, however, Singin’ in the Rain worked through the usage of delightful songs, witty dialogue and impressive dance sequences. It had heart and soul, too, and really played to the changing of the times in cinema, laying a comprehensive and smart backdrop to the action.
Gene Kelly is a treat to watch, regardless of how he was off screen, and Debbie Reynolds shines. The real genius of the film was, to me, O’Connor as he flips and flops around like a madman to put his role over and to add comic energy to the film. He is a sparkplug of energy and skill, delivering his performances and his supporting role with class and top drawer comic timing. Jean Hagen is also hilarious as Lina Lamont, turning in an incredible performance as a high-strung starlet who believes her own hype.
Much of Singin’ in the Rain is legendary and timeless. It is truly a classic film. In my opinion, however, it is simply a little too stuffed to be a masterpiece.
7/10
